Tongue break-off tool and tongue break-off method

ABSTRACT

A tongue break-off tool includes a hook member configured to have a hook hooked onto a tongue of an insert with a tongue that is inserted into a tap hole, a moving member configured to move the hook member in a diagonal direction diagonally intersecting an extending direction of the tap hole from a far side to a near side of the tap hole to break off the tongue from the insert with a tongue, and a holding member configured to hold the tongue broken off from the insert with a tongue.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tongue break-off tool and a tonguebreak-off method.

BACKGROUND

Usually, when a strong female screw is required, such as when thedurability of the female screw is required or when strong tightening isrequired, an insert called a coil insert or a screw insert is used, forexample. The insert is formed by winding a wire rod such as stainlesssteel in a coil shape, which is inserted (embedded) while being screwedinto a tap hole (screw hole) of a workpiece such as resin or aluminumalloy by an insert insertion tool. A tongue bent in the radial directionof the coil is formed at the end portion of the insert. When insertingthis insert with a tongue into the tap hole, the user uses the insertinsertion tool to pinch the tongue with the tip end portion of theinsert insertion tool or to hook the tip end portion of the insertinsertion tool to the tongue and rotate the insert through the tongue toscrew the insert into the tap hole.

The tongue is used when the insert is inserted into the tap hole, andbecomes unnecessary after the insert is inserted. Therefore, a notch forbreaking off the tongue is formed around the root of the tongue. Afterinserting the insert into the tap hole, the user puts a pin such as asteel rod on the tongue and hits the head of the pin with a hammer tobreak off the tongue (break-off work). Because the tongue broken offfrom the insert remains in the tap hole, the user collects the tonguefrom the tap hole using a tool such as tweezers (collection work). Inthis manner, it is necessary to perform both the break-off work and thecollection work, and the work is interrupted by the tool replacementduring the work. Thus, work efficiency is lowered.

An example of the above is shown in JP Patent Publication No. 11-156751A.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tonguebreak-off tool and a tongue break-off method capable of improving workefficiency.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tongue break-offtool includes a hook member configured to have a hook hooked onto atongue of an insert with a tongue that is inserted into a tap hole, amoving member configured to move the hook member in a diagonal directiondiagonally intersecting an extending direction of the tap hole from afar side to a near side of the tap hole to break off the tongue from theinsert with a tongue, and a holding member configured to hold the tonguebroken off from the insert with a tongue.

In the tongue break-off tool, the moving member may move the hook membersuch that the hook is hooked onto the tongue to pull up the tongue inthe diagonal direction, and the tongue is broken off from the insertwith a tongue.

In the tongue break-off tool, the hook may have a hooking surface thatis hooked onto the tongue, and may be formed to be hooked onto thetongue in a state where a longitudinal direction of the hooking surfaceis along an extending direction of the tongue.

In the tongue break-off tool, the holding member may be provided to bein contact with the tongue in a state where the hook is hooked onto thetongue.

In the tongue break-off tool, a guide member configured to guide thehook to the tongue such that the hook is hooked onto the tongue mayfurther be provided.

In the tongue break-off tool, the guide member may be provided on thehook member and may form a storage space into which the tongue enters incooperation with the hook member.

In the tongue break-off tool, the guide member may be an elasticallydeformable plate spring, and the plate spring may elastically deform bycoming into contact with the tongue that enters the storage space.

In the tongue break-off tool, the moving member may include a plier thatmoves the hook member, and a regulation member that determines aseparation distance between the plier and the tap hole.

In the tongue break-off tool, the plier may have a first stay and asecond stay, and the hook member may move in the diagonal direction bythe first stay. The hook member may include a first through-hole throughwhich the first stay passes and having a size that makes it possible forthe hook member to move along the first stay, and a second through-holethrough which the second stay passes and having a size that makes itpossible for the hook member to move without being hindered by thesecond stay.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a tonguebreak-off method includes hooking a hook of a hook member included in atongue break-off tool onto a tongue of an insert with a tongue that isinserted into a tap hole, moving the hook member in a diagonal directiondiagonally intersecting an extending direction of the tap hole from afar side to a near side of the tap hole to break off the tongue from theinsert with a tongue, by a moving member included in the tonguebreak-off tool, and holding the tongue broken off from the insert with atongue by a holding member included in the tongue break-off tool.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible toimprove work efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tongue break-off toolaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the tongue break-off tool accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating the tongue break-off toolaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a first view for describing a tongue break-off operationaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a second view for describing the tongue break-off operationaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a third view for describing the tongue break-off operationaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a fourth view for describing the tongue break-off operationaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a fifth view for describing the tongue break-off operationaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for describing a notch of an insert according to theembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating Modification Example 1 of an insertionmember according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating Modification Example 2 of an insertionmember according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

One embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Theup-down and left-right directions in the embodiment are based on thedrawings.

Basic Configuration

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a tongue break-off tool 10 according toan embodiment includes an insertion member 20 and a moving member 30.The tongue break-off tool 10 is used for breaking off and collecting atongue B2 from an insert with a tongue B1 (hereinafter, referred to asinsert B1) that is inserted (embedded) into a tap hole A2 of a workpieceA1 illustrated in FIG. 4.

The insertion member 20 includes a hook member 21, a guide member 22(refer to FIGS. 1 and 3), and a holding member 23. The insertion member20 is inserted into the insert B1 inserted into the tap hole A2 of theworkpiece A1.

The hook member 21 is formed in a columnar shape, and a hook (hookingunit) 21 a is formed at an end portion of the hook member 21 on thelower end side. The hook 21 a is formed in an L shape to be hooked ontothe tongue B2 of the insert B1 inserted into the tap hole A2. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the hook 21 a has a hooking surface M1 and aninclined surface M2. The hooking surface M1 is a substantiallyrectangular flat surface orthogonal to the extending direction of thehook member 21. The inclined surface M2 is a substantially rectangularflat surface that is inclined at an acute angle with respect to thehooking surface M1. The hook member 21 has an abutting surface M3 asillustrated in FIG. 3. The abutting surface M3 is a substantiallyrectangular flat surface orthogonal to the extending direction of thehook member 21, and faces the hooking surface M1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the hook member 21 is connected to a part of the movingmember 30, and is configured to be movable upward by the moving member30 (details will be described later).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the guide member 22 is formed in aplate shape, and is provided on the hook member 21 such that the endportion of the guide member 22 on the lower end side faces the hook 21 aand a storage space into which the tongue B2 enters is formed incooperation with the hook member 21. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,the guide member 22 is fixed to the hook member 21 by, for example, twofixing members 24. As the guide member 22, for example, an elasticallydeformable plate spring is used. As the fixing member 24, for example,bolts or screws are used. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a tip end portion ofthe guide member 22 is formed in a V shape that protrudes and bendstoward the hook 21 a side, and has two inclined surfaces M4 and M5.These inclined surfaces M4 and M5 are flat surfaces that are inclined soas to be away from each other from the V-shaped bent part. The heightposition of the bent part is the same height position as the hookingsurface M1 of the hook 21 a. The guide member 22 comes into contact withthe tongue B2 of the insert B1 inserted into the tap hole A2 in responseto the upward movement of the hook member 21, and guides the hookingsurface M1 of the hook 21 a directly below the tongue B2 (details willbe described later).

Here, the insertion member 20 is inserted into the tap hole A2 from thehook 21 a side and moves to the far part of the tap hole A2. At thistime, even when the guide member 22 abuts against the tongue B2, thetongue B2 is not broken off. The plate shape of the guide member 22 hasa predetermined thickness of, for example, approximately 1 mm to comeinto contact with the tongue B2 that enters the storage space to beelastically deformed. Therefore, even when the guide member 22 abutsagainst the tongue B2, the tongue B2 is avoided without being brokenoff, and the tongue B2 enters the storage space, which is a spacebetween the guide member 22 and the hook member 21. The bent part of theguide member 22 and the tip end part of the hook 21 a of the hook member21 are in contact with each other, and this part serves as an entranceto the storage space.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the holding member 23 is positioned inthe vicinity of a location against which the tongue B2 abuts in the hook21 a, for example, in the vicinity of the hooking surface M1 of the hook21 a. The holding member 23 is also provided inside the extended part ofthe hook 21 a. Both end surfaces of the holding member 23 are exposedfrom the surface of the hook 21 a, and hold the tongue B2 broken offfrom the insert B1 inserted into the tap hole A2. As the holding member23, for example, a magnet (for example, a permanent magnet) thatattracts the tongue B2 is used.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the moving member 30 has a plier 31 anda regulation member 32. When the tongue B2 is broken off from the insertB1 inserted into the tap hole A2, the moving member 30 moves the hookmember 21 by the plier 31 in the direction diagonally intersecting theextending direction of the tap hole A2 from the far side to the nearside (from lower side to upper side) of the tap hole A2, that is, thediagonal direction (details will be described later).

The plier 31 has a first stay 31 a and a second stay 31 b. The firststay 31 a and the second stay 31 b have a plier structure in which thefirst stay 31 a and the second stay 31 b are coupled to each other by apivot (rotation axis) 31 c such that the end portions approach orseparate from each other, and the end portions are capable of freelyopening and closing. Each of the end portions (tip end portions 51 and52) of the first stay 31 a and the second stay 31 b is formed in a rodshape, and each of the other end portions (rear end portions 53 and 54)is formed to be a grip unit held by the user. The first stay 31 a andthe second stay 31 b are biased by a biasing member 31 d in thedirection in which the tip end portions 51 and 52 approach each other(closing direction). As the biasing member 31 d, for example, a springsuch as a coil spring is used.

The regulation member 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape (sleeve shape)and has a storage hole 32 a, which is a through-hole. The storage hole32 a is formed in a size that makes it possible for the hook member 21to move and be accommodated. The regulation member 32 has a guard 32 b.The guard 32 b is formed in an annular shape and is provided at thelower end of the regulation member 32. The guard 32 b functions as acushioning material that cushions the impact when the regulation member32 abuts against the surface of the workpiece A1. As the guard 32 b, forexample, a resin material is used. When the tongue B2 is broken off fromthe insert B1 inserted into the tap hole A2, the regulation member 32abuts against the surface of the workpiece A1 via the guard 32 b. Theseparation distance between the tap hole A2 and the plier 31, that is,the separation distance (for example, vertical separation distance)between the surface of the workpiece A1 and the plier 31 is determined(details will be described later).

The regulation member 32 is provided at the tip end portion 52 to bemovable along the extending direction of the tip end portion 52 of thesecond stay 31 b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the regulation member 32 hasa first through-hole H1 and a second through-hole H2. The firstthrough-hole H1 and the second through-hole H2 are positioned on theupper end side of the regulation member 32 and at positions facing eachother, and are formed on the circumferential surface (circumferentialwall) of the regulation member 32. The first through-hole H1 and thesecond through-hole H2 are through-holes through which the tip endportion 52 of the second stay 31 b passes, and are formed to have sizesthat make it possible for the regulation member 32 to move along the tipend portion 52.

The above-described hook member 21 is provided at the tip end portion 51to pass through the storage hole 32 a of the regulation member 32 and bemovable along the extending direction of the tip end portion 51 of thefirst stay 31 a. The hook member 21 has a first through-hole H3 and asecond through-hole H4. The first through-hole H3 is formed on the upperend side of the hook member 21. The first through-hole H3 is athrough-hole through which the tip end portion 51 of the first stay 31 apasses, and is formed to have a size that makes it possible for the hookmember 21 to move along the tip end portion 51. The second through-holeH4 is formed in the vicinity of the center of the hook member 21. Thesecond through-hole H4 is a through-hole through which the tip endportion 52 of the second stay 31 b passes, and is formed to have a sizethat makes it possible for the hook member 21 to move without beinghindered by the tip end portion 52 (e.g., a size in which the hookmember 21 and the tip end portion 52 of the second stay 31 b do not abutagainst each other).

Here, the tip end portion 51 of the first stay 31 a passes through thefirst through-hole H3 of the hook member 21. The hook member 21 ismovable along the extending direction of the tip end portion 51 of thefirst stay 31 a, and moves upward (specifically, in a diagonaldirection) by moving the tip end portion 51 upward. The tip end portion52 of the second stay 31 b passes through the first through-hole H1 ofthe regulation member 32, the second through-hole H4 of the hook member21, and the second through-hole H2 of the regulation member 32. Theregulation member 32 is movable along the extending direction of the tipend portion 52 of the second stay 31 b, and is moved downward by movingthe tip end portion 52 downward.

A return unit 55 is provided at the tip end of the tip end portion 52 ofthe second stay 31 b such that the regulation member 32 does not comeoff from the tip end portion 52. The return unit 55 is formed to bedetachably attached to the tip end portion 52 of the second stay 31 b.Similarly, the tip end portion 51 of the first stay 31 a is alsoprovided with a return unit 56, and the return unit 56 is formed to bedetachably attached to the tip end portion 51. However, when there isthe return unit 55, the return unit 56 may be omitted.

Tongue Break-Off Operation

Next, a tongue break-off operation using the above-described tonguebreak-off tool 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. InFIGS. 4 to 8, a workpiece A1, a tap hole A2, and an insert B1 areillustrated in a cross section. FIG. 7 illustrates a state similar tothat of FIG. 6 from a direction different from that of FIG. 6. In FIG.9, the end surface on the lower end side of the insert B1 (the endsurface on the side of the insert B1 that is first inserted into the taphole A2) is illustrated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 8, the insert B1 is formed by winding awire rod having a rhombic cross section (for example, a metal such asstainless steel) in a coil shape. The outer circumferential surface ofthe insert B1 functions as an outer thread, and the innercircumferential surface of the insert B1 functions as an inner thread.As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, the tongue B2 bent in the radialdirection of the coil is formed at one end portion of the insert B1. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, a notch B3 for breaking off the tongue is formedaround the root of the tongue B2 in the insert B1. The notch B3 isformed in the insert B1 such that a small piece of the tongue B2 brokenoff from the insert B1 has a “re” shape (V shape). The notch B3 isformed such that a rotation angle around the axis of the coil is withina range of, for example, 10 degrees to 90 degrees (0 degrees in theextending direction of the tongue B2) in the circumferential directionof the coil connected from the root of the tongue B2 to the tongue B2.When the insert B1 is inserted into the tap hole A2 by the insertinsertion tool, the tongue B2 is positioned at the far side of the taphole A2.

In the tongue break-off operation of breaking off the tongue B2, first,the grip unit, which is the rear end portion of the plier 31, is held bythe user. The insertion member 20, that is, the hook member 21, isinserted into the tap hole A2 from above the tap hole A2. The insertedhook member 21 gradually descends, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, thetongue B2 enters the storage space between the hook member 21 and theguide member 22 (the space formed by the hook member 21 and the guidemember 22). At this time, the tongue B2 abuts against the inclinedsurface M2 of the hook member 21 or the inclined surface M5 of the guidemember 22 (refer to FIG. 3), and enters the storage space along theinclined surfaces M2 and M5. When the tongue B2 enters the storagespace, the guide member 22 comes into contact with the tongue B2entering the storage space to be elastically deformed.

The user who holds the grip unit of the plier 31 feels resistance whenthe tongue B2 passes between the hook member 21 and the guide member 22(i.e., the entrance to the storage space), but after the tongue B2passes through the entrance, the user does not feel resistance.Therefore, the user recognizes that the tongue B2 has entered thestorage space and grasps that the grip unit of the plier 31 may begripped. Meanwhile, even when the user does not recognize that thetongue B2 has entered the storage space as described above and continuesto insert the insertion member 20, the tongue B2 that has entered thestorage space abuts against the abutting surface M3 of the hook member21. Therefore, the user feels the resistance and recognizes that thetongue B2 has entered the storage space and grasps that the grip unit ofthe plier 31 may be gripped.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the grip unit of the plier 31 is grippedby the user in a state where the tongue B2 is present in the storagespace between the hook member 21 and the guide member 22. In response tothis, each of the stays 31 a and 31 b of the plier 31 move in thedirection in which the tip end portions 51 and 52 are separated fromeach other (opening direction). The regulation member 32 is lowered bymoving the tip end portion 52 of the second stay 31 b downward, and asillustrated in FIG. 5, the guard 32 b of the regulation member 32 abutsagainst the surface of the workpiece A1. Accordingly, the verticalseparation distance between the surface of the workpiece A1 and theplier 31 is fixed, and the downward movement of the tip end portion 52of the second stay 31 b is restricted. Therefore, the tip end portion 52of the second stay 31 b does not move downward, but the tip end portion51 of the first stay 31 a continues to move upward. The upward movementof the tip end portion 51 raises the hook member 21, and as illustratedin FIGS. 6 and 7, the hook 21 a of the hook member 21 is pulled up whilebeing hooked onto the tongue B2. The hook 21 a is hooked onto the tongueB2 in a state where the longitudinal direction of the hooking surface M1is along the extending direction of the tongue B2.

When the inclined surface M4 of the guide member 22 abuts against thetongue B2 when the hook member 21 is raised until the hook 21 a ishooked onto the tongue B2 as described above (refer to FIG. 3), the hookmember 21 moves while the inclined surface M4 is in contact with thetongue B2. Thus, the hooking surface M1 of the hook 21 a isautomatically guided under the tongue B2 and abuts against the tongueB2. Accordingly, the hook 21 a is reliably hooked onto the tongue B2.The hook member 21 is capable of rotating around the axis of the tip endportion 51 of the first stay 31 a as a rotation axis, and oscillating bythe separation distance (play) between the tip end portion 52 of thesecond stay 31 b and the inner surface of the through-hole H4.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hook member 21 in a statewhere the hook 21 a is hooked onto the tongue B2 rises in the diagonaldirection tilted by a predetermined angle (for example, a predeterminedangle having a range of 7 degrees to 8 degrees) of the acute angle withrespect to the extending direction of the tap hole A2. When each of therear end portions 53 and 54 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2), which is the gripunit of the plier 31, is closed, the upward movement of the tip endportion 51 of the first stay 31 a is stopped and the movement of thehook member 21 is also stopped. While the hook member 21 is rising, thetongue B2 is broken off from the insert B1, and the broken-off tongue B2is held by the holding member 23. The holding member 23 is provided tocome into contact with the tongue B2 in a state where the hook 21 a ishooked onto the tongue B2. After this, the tongue break-off tool 10 islifted upward by the user, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the hook member21 is taken out from the tap hole A2. Finally, the tongue B2 held by theholding member 23 is removed from the holding member 23 by the user.

According to the tongue break-off operation, the user holds the grip ofthe plier 31 and inserts the insertion member 20 into the insert B1 inthe tap hole A2 from the hook 21 a side, and grips the grip of the plier31. Accordingly, the tongue B2 is broken off from the insert B1. At thistime, the broken-off tongue B2 is held by the holding member 23.Accordingly, the broken-off tongue B2 is collected by the tonguebreak-off tool 10. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the work ofcollecting the broken-off tongue B2 from the tap hole A2 by using a toolsuch as tweezers as before, and thus, it is possible to improve the workefficiency. Because the tongue B2 is broken off and held by the tonguebreak-off tool 10, it is not necessary to replace the tool, the work isnot interrupted by the tool replacement, and thus it is possible toimprove work efficiency.

Because the hook 21 a is hooked onto the tongue B2 and pulled up fromthe far side to the near side of the tap hole A2 in the diagonaldirection diagonally intersecting the extending direction of the taphole A2, compared to a case where the hook 21 a is hooked onto thetongue B2 and is pulled up in parallel with the extending direction ofthe tap hole A2 from the far side to the near side of the tap hole A2,it is possible to reliably break off the tongue B2. It is experimentallyconfirmed in multiple tongues B2 that it is possible to break off thetongue B2, which is not capable of being broken off even when the hook21 a is pulled up in parallel with the extending direction of the taphole A2, by pulling up the hook 21 a in the diagonal direction.

The above-described inclination angle in the diagonal direction is, forexample, a predetermined acute angle within an angle range of 7 degreesto 8 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the tap hole A2.When the hook 21 a is hooked onto the tongue B2, a force is applied tothe tongue B2 in the direction of the predetermined angle. Thepredetermined angle is set according to the diameter or height of theinsert B1 (the length parallel to the extending direction of the taphole A2). But, for example, in order to make it easy to break off thetongue B2, the angle is preferably within 20 degrees, and not only tomake it easy to break off the tongue B2, but also to reduce the size ofthe regulation member 32, the angle is more preferably within 10degrees.

Here, when the plier 31 is operated by the user in a state where thehook member 21 is not inserted into the tongue B2 inserted into the taphole A2 (i.e., a state where the hook 21 a is not hooked onto the tongueB2), the hook member 21 moves along a circle centered on a pivot 31 c,that is, a curve, but the hook 21 a also moves along the curve. Themoving member 30 moves the hook member 21 to rotate around the pivot 31c as a rotation axis, in which the hook 21 a intersects (for example,orthogonally) a surface parallel to the extending direction of the taphole A2 and the extending direction of the tongue B2, in a state wherethe hook member 21 is not inserted into the tap hole A2.

The insertion member 20 and the regulation member 32 are formed so as tobe detachably attached to the plier 31. Accordingly, it is possible toremove the insertion member 20 and the regulation member 32. Therefore,several types of regulation members or several types of insertionmembers are prepared, and for example, according to the diameter orheight of the insert B1, it is possible to replace the regulation member32 or the insertion member 20 with another type of regulation member orinsertion member.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the hook member 21having the hook 21 a hooked onto the tongue B2 of the insert B1 insertedinto the tap hole A2 is moved by the moving member 30 in the diagonaldirection diagonally intersecting the extending direction of the taphole A2 from the far side to the near side of the tap hole A2. Thetongue B2 is broken off from the insert B1 inserted into the tap holeA2. The tongue B2 broken off from the insert B1 is held by the holdingmember 23. Therefore, it is possible to collect the broken-off tongue B2by the tongue break-off tool 10, it is possible to eliminate thecollection work of collecting the broken-off tongue B2 from the tap holeA2 by using a tool such as tweezers as before, and thus, it is possibleto improve the work efficiency. It is possible to eliminate the need toreplace the tool, the work is not interrupted by the replacement of thetool, and thus, it is possible to improve the work efficiency.

Modification Example of Insertion Member

Modification Examples 1 and 2 of the insertion member 20 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

In Modification Example 1, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the tip endportion of the guide member 22 is bent toward the hook member 21, andthe bent tip end portion is formed in a V shape that protrudes and bendstoward the hook member 21. The guide member 22 has two inclined surfacesM4 and M5 as described above. These inclined surfaces M4 and M5 are flatsurfaces that are inclined so as to be away from each other from thebent part. The height position of the bent part is the same heightposition as the hooking surface M1 of the hook 21 a. The tonguebreak-off operation is the same as described above.

In Modification Example 2, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the hook member 21has two hooks 21 a, the guide member 22 is absent, and the magnet, whichis the holding member 23, is provided inside the lower end side of thehook member 21. The lower surface of the magnet is exposed from the hookmember 21. Each of the hooks 21 a is spaced apart such that the tongueB2 is capable of entering therebetween, and the tip ends are formed toface directions opposite to each other. The tongue B2 enters thisseparated space of the hooks 21 a, the hook member 21 rotates around thecenter axis (the center axis parallel to the extending direction of thehook member 21) as a rotation axis, and each of the hooking surfaces M1of each hook 21 a faces the tongue B2. In this state, when the hookmember 21 moves in the diagonal direction, each of the hooks 21 a ishooked onto the tongue B2. When the hook member 21 further moves in thediagonal direction, the tongue B2 is broken off from the insert B1 andis attracted to and held by the magnet, which is the holding member 23.

Therefore, in the tongue break-off operation in Modification Example 2,in a state where the tongue B2 is positioned above each of the hookingsurfaces M1 (the plier 31 side) between the hooks 21 a, the user turnsthe plier 31 by 90 degrees within a flat surface, rotates the hookmember 21 with the center axis as a rotating axis, and then grips thegrip of the plier 31. The operations other than the operation ofrotating the plier 31 within the flat surface are the same as thedescription above.

Here, for example, the insertion member 20 attached to the plier 31 maybe replaced with another insertion member. In the replacement work ofthe insertion member 20, each of the return units 55 and 56 is removedfrom the plier 31, and the regulation member 32 and the insertion member20 are removed from the plier 31. After this, for example, the insertionmember 20 of Modification Example 1 or 2 is attached to the plier 31together with the regulation member 32. Further, each of the returnunits 55 and 56 is attached to the plier 31. Accordingly, thereplacement of the insertion member 20 is completed.

Other Embodiments

In the description above, an example is described in which a columnarmember is used as the hook member 21, but the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, it is possible to use members having variousshapes such as a square columnar member. An example is described inwhich the hook member 21 is formed such that the longitudinal directionof the hooking surface M1 of the hook 21 a is parallel to the extendingdirection of the first stay 31 a, but the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the hook member 21 may be formed such thatthe longitudinal direction of the hooking surface M1 of the hook 21 a istilted by a predetermined angle (for example, several degrees) in theaxial direction (extending direction) of the hook member 21 with respectto the extending direction of the first stay 31 a. The hook member 21may be formed such that the longitudinal direction of the hookingsurface M1 of the hook 21 a is tilted by a predetermined angle (forexample, 90 degrees or 45 degrees) around the axis of the hook member 21with respect to the extending direction of the first stay 31 a.

In the description above, an example is described in which a platespring is used as the guide member 22, but the invention is not limitedthereto. It is possible to use other members. As the shape of the guidemember 22, an example is described in which the shape that guides thehooking surface M1 of the hook 21 a to the tongue B2, for example, a Vshape, is formed, but the invention is not limited thereto. It ispossible to use various shapes. An example is described in which theguide member 22 is provided, but the invention is not limited thereto.The guide member 22 may not be provided. However, in order to reliablyhook the hook 21 a onto the tongue B2 of the insert B1 inserted into thetap hole A2, it is preferable to provide the guide member 22.

In the description above, an example is described in which a magnet thatattracts the tongue B2 that was broken off from the insert B1 is used asthe holding member 23, but the invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, an adhesive material may be used, or otherwise, the tongue B2may be held by being pressed against the hook 21 a by the guide member22 before being broken off (held by being sandwiched between the guidemember 22 and the hook 21 a), and the tongue B2 may be held by beingpressed against the hook 21 a as it is even after being broken off. Inthis case, because the guide member 22 functions as a holding member, itis possible to eliminate the magnet that is the holding member 23, andsimplify the configuration.

In the description above, an example is described in which the magnetthat is the holding member 23 is positioned in the vicinity of thehooking surface M1 of the hook 21 a (on the hooking surface M1 side atthe extended part of the hook 21 a) and is provided on the hook 21 a,but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the magnet may beprovided in the hook 21 a by being positioned on the abutting surface M3side at the extended part of the hook 21 a, or may be provided at theend portion on the lower end side of the hook member 21 to be embeddedin the abutting surface M3, depending on the magnetic force range of themagnet.

In the description above, an example is described in which a sleeve isused as the regulation member 32, but the invention is not limitedthereto. It is also possible to use other members or various shapes.When it is possible to determine the separation distance (for example,the vertical separation distance) between the surface of the workpieceA1 and the plier 31 by a tool or member other than the tongue break-offtool 10, it is also possible to eliminate the regulation member 32.

Although the above-described embodiments according to the invention havebeen described above, the above-described embodiments are examples anddo not limit the scope of the invention. It is possible to change theabove-described embodiments in various manners. For example, theconfiguration elements illustrated in the above-described embodimentsmay be omitted, replaced, or changed, and the configuration elementsaccording to different embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Theabove-described embodiments or modifications thereof are included in thescope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scopethereof.

A list of reference signs used in the drawing figures is shown below.

-   10 tongue break-off tool-   20 insertion member-   21 hook member-   21 a hook-   22 guide member-   23 holding member-   24 fixing member-   30 moving member-   31 plier-   31 a first stay-   31 b second stay-   31 c pivot-   31 d biasing member-   32 regulation member-   32 a storage hole-   32 b guard-   51 tip end portion-   52 tip end portion-   53 rear end portion-   54 rear end portion-   55 return unit-   56 return unit-   A1 workpiece-   A2 tap hole-   B1 insert-   B2 tongue-   B3 notch-   H1 through-hole-   H2 through-hole-   H3 through-hole-   H4 through-hole-   M1 hooking surface-   M2 inclined surface-   M3 abutting surface-   M4 inclined surface-   M5 inclined surface

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tongue break-off tool comprising: a hookmember configured to have a hook hooked onto a tongue of an insert thatis inserted into a tap hole; a moving member that automatically movesthe hook member in a diagonal direction diagonally intersecting anextending direction of the tap hole from a far side to a near side ofthe tap hole to break off the tongue from the insert; and a holdingmember that holds the tongue broken off from the insert.
 2. The tonguebreak-off tool according to claim 1, wherein the moving member moves thehook member such that the hook is hooked onto the tongue to pull up thetongue in the diagonal direction, and the tongue is broken off from theinsert with a tongue.
 3. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 2,wherein the hook has a hooking surface that is hooked onto the tongue,and is formed to be hooked onto the tongue in a state where alongitudinal direction of the hooking surface is along an extendingdirection of the tongue.
 4. The tongue break-off tool according to claim2, further comprising: a guide member guides the hook to the tongue suchthat the hook is hooked onto the tongue.
 5. The tongue break-off toolaccording to claim 4, wherein the guide member is provided on the hookmember and forms a storage space into which the tongue enters incooperation with the hook member.
 6. The tongue break-off tool accordingto claim 5, wherein the guide member is an elastically deformable platespring, and the plate spring elastically deforms by coming into contactwith the tongue that enters the storage space.
 7. The tongue break-offtool according to claim 2, wherein the moving member includes a plierthat moves the hook member, and a regulation member determines aseparation distance between the plier and the tap hole.
 8. The tonguebreak-off tool according to claim 7, wherein the plier has a first stayand a second stay, and the hook member moves in the diagonal directionby the first stay, and includes a first through-hole through which thefirst stay passes and which has a size that makes it possible for thehook member to move along the first stay, and a second through-holethrough which the second stay passes and which has a size that makes itpossible for the hook member to move without being hindered by thesecond stay.
 9. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 1, whereinthe hook has a hooking surface that is hooked onto the tongue, and isformed to be hooked onto the tongue in a state where a longitudinaldirection of the hooking surface is along an extending direction of thetongue.
 10. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 9, wherein theholding member is provided to be in contact with the tongue in a statewhere the hook is hooked onto the tongue.
 11. The tongue break-off toolaccording to claim 10, further comprising: a guide member guides thehook to the tongue such that the hook is hooked onto the tongue.
 12. Thetongue break-off tool according to claim 9, further comprising: a guidemember guides the hook to the tongue such that the hook is hooked ontothe tongue.
 13. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 9, whereinthe moving member includes a plier that moves the hook member, and aregulation member determines a separation distance between the plier andthe tap hole.
 14. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 1,wherein the holding member is provided to be in contact with the tonguein a state where the hook is hooked onto the tongue.
 15. The tonguebreak-off tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide memberguides the hook to the tongue such that the hook is hooked onto thetongue.
 16. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 15, wherein theguide member is provided on the hook member and forms a storage spaceinto which the tongue enters in cooperation with the hook member. 17.The tongue break-off tool according to claim 16, wherein the guidemember is an elastically deformable plate spring, and the plate springelastically deforms by coming into contact with the tongue that entersthe storage space.
 18. The tongue break-off tool according to claim 1,wherein the moving member includes a plier that moves the hook member,and a regulation member determines a separation distance between theplier and the tap hole.
 19. The tongue break-off tool according to claim18, wherein the plier has a first stay and a second stay, and the hookmember moves in the diagonal direction by the first stay, and includes afirst through-hole through which the first stay passes and which has asize that makes it possible for the hook member to move along the firststay, and a second through-hole through which the second stay passes andwhich has a size that makes it possible for the hook member to movewithout being hindered by the second stay.
 20. A tongue break-off methodcomprising: hooking a hook of a hook member included in a tonguebreak-off tool onto a tongue of an insert that is inserted into a taphole; moving the hook member automatically in a diagonal directiondiagonally intersecting an extending direction of the tap hole from afar side to a near side of the tap hole to break off the tongue from theinsert, by a moving member included in the tongue break-off tool; andholding the tongue broken off from the insert by a holding memberincluded in the tongue break-off tool.